The Regiment was organized in May, 1917
The unit was organized in Atlanta, Georgia starting
on May 25th, 1917 by Colonel John Sewell.
Frank enlisted June 29, 1917
The regiment departed Atlanta July 26, 1917 by
train for New Jersey
Boarded the troop ship July 28th in NY.
Sailed on the British ship H.M.S. Carmania along
with the 12th Engineers leaving New York pier 53 at 2:00 PM. for
Halifax to
join a convoy and sailed for France two days later.
Arrived Liverpool, England Aug. 12, 1917.
The great London Parade on August 15, 1917.
The first troops to arriving in England. In
the parade were the 12th, 13th, 14th and 17th Railway Engineers .
The regiment sailed for France on August
16, 1917.
The regiment boarded the steamship Northwestern
Miller except
Company E which boarded the steamship Londonderry. They left
Southampton that evening arriving at LaHavre the next morning.
Arrived in St. Nazaire, France August 19, 1917.
After a day the troops traveled by train to St.
Nazaire.
Their monumental task now begins to rebuild the French railroads. They
proceeded to Camp No. 1 and work started on Base Section No. 1
immediately.
Battle of Cognac Hill August 26, 1917.
A small fracas with the Marine Military Police.
Their only combat. Not much is reported as it happened before
the paper was published.
First issue of the "Oo La La Times" on October 30,
1917.
One of the first American regimental newspapers in
France.
First construction started on Nantes dock trackage
November 22, 1917
First issue of the Stars and Stripes on
February 8, 1918
Permanent Camp Number 3 finished
April, 1918.
This was the 17th Engineer's own Base Camp at St.
Nazaire.
Armistice signed November 11, 1918.
On the 11 hour of the 11 day of the 11 month.
All work promptly stopped.
Last issue of Oo La La Times on February 1, 1919
Frank returned from France March 25, 1919.
Engineers provide facilities for returning combat
troops. First to arrive, last to leave
Frank Discharged April 7, 1919 from Camp Grant
Last issue of the W.W.I Stars & Stripes, June
13, 1919
The 17th Engineers were never intended to go
to the front lines. Their mission was to
build and maintain the Port and Base Camp
at Base Section No. 1 at St. Nazaire. Also, they were never
trained as front line troops. Frank had less than one month
to train some had only days before shipping
out.
The Railroad Engineers were under the direction of the SOS, the
Service of Supply, which was responsible for obtaining and moving all
materials and supplies.
A Lumber Yard was Home to the Regiment
The regiment was organized in Atlanta, Georgia under the
direction of Colonel John Sewell, a West Point graduate, called back to
active duty . It was one of the original nine railway regiments
authorized under the National Defense Act of 1916 and intended for
immediate service in France to rebuild the French rail system to be
ready for the massive flow of American supplies and men. They
were originally named the 7th Reserve Engineers but later changed to
the 17th Engineers (Railway).
This was a race against time. The army was so small at this
time that no regular army cantonment was available. The Atlanta
Chamber of Commerce provided office space for headquarters and a
recruiting
office. The Woodward Lumber Yard was leased for the regiment and
the
buildings rearranged to make do with the work being done by the
regiment. Recruitment started promptly with auxiliary offices at
Birmingham and
Jacksonville and continued until the day they left with some men
joining in the last days. It was intended that the 17th would
recruit men from
the southeastern railroads but it was soon evident the quota could not
be
meet. Recruiting then started in Chicago, Cincinnati ,
Columbus
and St. Paul. The full strength of the regiment was then soon
achieved.
The "Oo La La" Times reported that the three
most significant, non work, events of the 17th Engineers were;
-
The great and historic London Parade.
-
The founding of one of the first American Regimental
newspapers in France.
-
The wonderful and heart warming Christmas fete of 1917 for
the children of St. Nazaire.
The 17th Engineers had a grand Christmas party on December 25th
for 2,000 children also attended by 2,000 adults as well as the full
regiment. All was paid for by the donations from the
troops. The cost was reported as 7,624 Franks or about
$1,525. It was considered a great success. Every child received
a gift and candy. Over 3,900 gifts were passed out. The
party was held in a large open field with a large Christmas Tree
surrounded by a mountain of gifts. To read more click here
A week later on January 1, 1918, the traditional time for gift
giving in France, Company "A" had a gift exchange for 500 war children
- orphans of French soldiers killed at tthe front.
Extract from the "Oo La La" Times, Vol. I, No. I
This regiment was organized quickly at Atlanta, Georgia in May
and June, with the promise that we would be
among the first to see France, and that our Uncle Sam made good
the promise of our officers, than whom none are better or held
in higher esteem. Our officers are rich in experience of
their line -- Construction -- and in the handling of men; they were,
doubtless picked for the task because they had made good on big jobs
at home. We appreciate our officers very highly. The
enlisted
personnel -- the men -- have wide experience and travel, some left
highly
lucrative position, a considerable portion are college men and a great
many are mechanics, therefore it is easily seen that one is constantly
rubbing shoulders with men worth while, men able to keep life from
becoming hum drum or sordid, even if he were not always getting new
views of a
beautiful country and studying French as well as war. We have men
from every state and from a calling which permitted of considerable
travel,
and they are pleased that the 17th has not let any grass under its
feet.
We've seen three real life size countries since we left the good old
U.S.A. Many men have already been assigned to duty such as they
were trained for, hence they are very well satisfied. Several
have been transferred
to Paris as clerks. Also we have lost several officers to
promotions
to General Staff. Several enlisted men have received
Commissions. Like wise non-coms raised.
One reason they stayed so long.
ST. NAZAIRE WAREHOUSE NOW
RECEPTION HALL
Army labor, army energy and army materials leave effected on
the docks at St. Nazaire the transformation of a big supply warehouse
into an artistic and cozy rest hospital and reception room.
Through this building, which has been remodeled with no worry as to
expense, will pass a good fraction of the 2,000,000 soldiers to be
shipped home within the coming months. The rest rooms were opened
to departing troops this week.
All the organizations which have for their aim the
smoothing of rough ways for the A.E.F. family are represented in the
various rooms.
Half of the ex-warehouse is given over
to the American Red Cross, which will devote itself to the care
of wounded en route to the States. The building is only two
dozen steps from the spot where the boys will be carried up the
gangplank and the hot cocoa, coffee and doughnuts served to them there
will be the last memories they will have of France. In the
hospital, the decorating work of which is an achievement in itself,
diet experts will prepare on the spot special dishes for the very sick.
In the big reception room the more healthy Yanks who are
departing will be welcomed by the Y.M.C.A. and the Knights of Columbus.
The entire transformation of the warehouse was completed
in three weeks by Company B, of the 17th Engineers. The rooms
will accommodate about 2,000 soldiers, which, it is figured, will be
the average ship-load. They will be open as long as soldiers are
being shipped home from St. Nazaire. Any articles the men might
need on shipboard which cannot be obtained from the ship canteen will
be furnished at the last moments as the men pass to the gang-plank.
(Extract from the Stars and Stripes)
Source material
- The "Oo La La" Times regimental newspaper
- Frank Anderson's personal military papers
- History of the 17th Engineers (Railway) by
Colonel C. S. Coe
- A Journal Of The Great War by Charles
G. Dawes
- The Regimental Register of the 17th Engineers
- The WW I Stars and Stripes
